WILL KLEIN, Senior – Hockey

Klein didn’t boast gaudy stats, but his contribution to the Greely boys’ hockey team this winter can’t be fully quantified or appreciated.

Klein, who is well known for his exploits on the golf course in the fall, volunteered to replace standout goalie Keji Wiessner, an all-star in 2021-22, who suffered a serious knee injury last summer.

“Even though Will had never played hockey until he started in November, he has an easy-going but strong mental demeanor and the right kind of character to be a goaltender,” said longtime Greely coach Barry Mothes.

Klein’s first appearance in a varsity game came in a scrimmage against eventual Class B state runner-up Messalonskee and resulted in a 14-1 loss. While the Rangers only won twice during this winter and didn’t make the playoffs, Klein did keep them competitive with several highlight performances.

Klein made 19 saves in a loss to Class A power Edward Little, stopped a dozen shots in a shutout victory over York, made 35 saves in a loss to reigning Class B champion Brunswick and stood tall in losses to Cheverus/Yarmouth, eventual Class A champion Thornton Academy and eventual Class B champion Cape Elizabeth.

“Will showed great composure and a good sense of humor and perspective through all the challenges and obstacles,” Mothes said. “He kept at it and never seemed to let too much get to him. It was inspiring and exciting to see all the improvements in his game in the second half of the season in a very tough part of our schedule. There were a lot of very positive and encouraging moments in our season, things that don’t get reflected in the raw record of wins and losses.”

Not only did Klein hold the fort this winter, he’s planning to return for his senior year and will devote time in the offseason to get even better.

Will Klein, Greely’s Winter Athlete of the Year, stepped up and accepted a daunting challenge and was a revelation, one who deserves an abundance of praise.

Coach Barry Mothes’ comment: “I would argue that being a goaltender in hockey is the most challenging and vulnerable position in team sports and for Will to take it on having never played hockey before just makes what he accomplished this year even more impressive and inspiring. He earned a lot of admiration and respect from all of his teammates and coaches. He absorbed a lot through his regular on-ice work with our goalie coach, Ace Malette, and made the most of playing almost every varsity and JV game this past season. Ace did an excellent job encouraging Will and giving him some important concepts to work on.”

Previous winners:

• • 2021-22 Ryan Moore (hockey)
  * 2020-21 Leif Harvey (Nordic skiing)
  • 2019-20 Andy Moore (hockey)
  • 2018-19 Jackson Williams (hockey)
  • 2017-18 Zach Brown (basketball)
  • 2016-17 Matt McDevitt (basketball)
  • 2015-16 Axel Lindsay (Alpine skiing)
  • 2014-15 Kyle Kramlich (hockey)
  • 2013-14 Jonathan Dunnett (swimming)
  • 2012-13 Nick Vogel (wrestling)
  • 2011-12 Dan Spencer (swimming)
  • 2010-11 Dan Spencer (swimming)
  • 2009-10 Mark McCauley (track)
  • 2008-09 Kevin Hart (hockey)
  • 2007-08 Nathan Mecray (swimming)
  • 2006-07 Nathan Mecray (swimming)
  • 2005-06 Drew Bowden (hockey)
  • 2004-05 Ben Knowles (skiing)
  • 2003-04 Kerry Burke (track)
  • 2002-03 John Loren (track)
  • 2001-02 Tim Apuzzo (basketball)

AUDREY COHEN, Junior – Swimming

• • Class B state champion, 100 butterfly
  * Class B state champion, 100 breaststroke
  * State Girls’ Swimmer of the Year
  • All-State, 100 butterfly
  • All-State, 100 breaststroke
  • All-State, medley relay
  • All-State, 400 free relay
  • Conference Girls’ Swimmer of the Year
  * All-Conference, 100 butterfly
  * All-Conference, 100 breaststroke
  * All-Conference, medley relay
  * All-Conference, 400 free relay

Cohen again left the competition in her wake, won titles and set records and we haven’t begun to hear the last of her exploits.

Cohen took up swimming at a young age and has thrived in the water. Her freshman season at Greely was cut short by COVID restrictions, but as a sophomore, Cohen set a new state record in winning the Class B state title in the 100 breaststroke and was also first in the 50 freestyle, becoming an All-American in the process.

This season was more of the same, as Cohen remained undefeated in high school competition. Cohen repeated as the conference and state swimmer of the year and is again under consideration for All-American.

At Southwesterns, Cohen won the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes, 5.7 seconds and the 100 free (52.05 seconds). At the Class B state meet, where Greely placed third, Cohen repeated as breaststroke champion in 1:03.53 and also won the 100 butterfly in 55.74 seconds.

She now ranks first all-time in the breaststroke, fifth in the 200 IM, sixth in the 100 fly and eighth in the 100 freestyle.

Cohen, who trains with the Southern Maine Aquatic Club, raced at the Speedo Short Course Sectionals in Ithaca, New York, where she won the 100 breaststroke and placed second in the 200 breaststroke. She has qualified to race later this year in the Summer Junior Nationals in California and the U.S. Open in North Carolina.

Out of the pool, Cohen is active in Maine Swimming, the state’s governing body for club swimming, and serves as chair of the Safe Sport committee.

Cohen has verbally committed to swimming at the University of Alabama.

First, Audrey Cohen, Greely’s Winter Athlete of the Year, has one more high school season to leave her imprint on Maine high school swimming and stake her claim as one of the finest we’ve ever seen.

Coach Rob Hale’s comment: “Audrey makes both teams tick. It’s not just her performances. When she arrives at practices, it’s like Christmas morning to her. She loves to be at the pool with her teammates. She is a ball of energy and up to mischief. She raises the level of effort in practice. She is always looking around to race someone. Don’t make eye contact with her because then, it’s ‘race on.’ She pushes everyone out of their comfort zone to be the best they can be. Google the word optimist and her picture will pop up. She is driven. She has a wonderful work ethic, sets tough goals and has pure dedication. She takes no days off.”

Previous winners:

• • 2021-22 Chelsea Graiver (basketball)
  * 2020-21 Camille Clement (basketball)
  * 2019-20 Leah Walker (hockey)
  * 2018-19 Anna DeWolfe (basketball)
  • 2017-18 Courtney Sullivan (hockey)
  • 2016-17 Nettie Cunningham (skiing)
  • 2015-16 Danita Storey (hockey)
  • 2014-15 Ashley Storey (basketball)
  • 2013-14 Elyse Dinan (skiing)
  • 2012-13 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
  • 2011-12 Emma Seymour (hockey)
  • 2010-11 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
  • 2009-10 Sarah Easterling (swimming)
  • 2008-09 Sara Schad (swimming)
  • 2007-08 Becky O’Brien (track)
  • 2006-07 Dani Cyr (hockey)
  • 2005-06 Becky O’Brien (track)
  • 2004-05 Rebecca Furey (track)
  • 2003-04 Steph Ginn (basketball)
  • 2002-03 Abby Chapman (track)
  • 2001-02 Mandy Bowden (skiing)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter:@foresports.

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